Coral record of equatorial sea-surface temperatures during the penultimate deglaciation at huon peninsula

Uplifted coral terraces at Huon Peninsula, Papua New Guinea, preserve a record of sea level, sea-surface temperature, and salinity from the penultimate deglaciation. Remnants have been found of a shallow-water reef that formed during a pause, similar to the Younger Dryas, in the penultimate deglaciation at 130,000 +/- 2000 years ago, when sea level was 60 to 80 meters lower than it is today. Porites coral, which grew during this period, has oxygen isotopic values and strontium/calcium ratios that indicate that sea-surface temperatures were much cooler (22 degrees +/- 2 degreesC) than either Last Interglacial or present-day tropical temperatures (29 degrees +/- 1 degreesC). These observations provide further evidence for a major cooling of the equatorial western Pacific followed by an extremely rapid rise in sea level during the latter stages of Termination II.     

Investigations into the toxicity of Echium plantagineum in sheep: 1. Field grazing experiments

A field grazing trial was undertaken to monitor the health and production of crossbred sheep grazing pasture where Echium plantagineum constituted a considerable proportion of the available forage. The trial, conducted for 19 months over successive grazing seasons, demonstrated a significant difference in production, with sheep on the E. plantagineum pasture being lighter and growing less wool compared with sheep on Echium-free pasture. No mortalities involving pyrrolizidine alkaloid poisoning were recorded in sheep grazing E. plantagineum, although there was histological evidence of moderately severe liver damage associated with high liver copper concentrations in at least one sheep following the grazing of large quantities of the plant.     

Comparison of Different Glycerol and Egg Yolk Concentrations Added to Tris‐based Extender for the Collared Peccaries (Tayassu tajacu) Semen Freezing

This study aimed to evaluate various concentrations of egg yolk (5, 10, or 20%) in combination with different concentrations of glycerol (3% or 6%) added to a Tris‐based extender on the post‐thaw characteristics of sperm obtained from Tayassu tajacu. For this purpose, semen from 10 sexually male mature collared peccaries was collected by electroejaculation and evaluated for sperm motility, vigour, viability, morphology and functional membrane integrity. The ejaculates were initially extended in Tris‐fructose plus egg yolk (5%, 10% or 20%). After cooling, the semen was added to Tris‐egg yolk plus glycerol (6% or 12%), resulting in a final concentration of 3% or 6% glycerol of the extender. Straws were frozen using liquid nitrogen and thawed in a water bath at 37°C for 30 s. The frozen–thawed semen was evaluated as reported for fresh semen. After thawing, a significant decrease was verified for sperm motility and vigour, for all the samples in comparison with fresh semen. However, no differences were evidenced among treatments for any sperm characteristics evaluated (p > 0.05), except for the combination between 10% egg yolk and 6% glycerol, which provided the worst preservation of functional membrane integrity (p < 0.05). The interactions between higher concentrations of egg yolk (20%) and glycerol (6%) and also between lower concentrations of the same substances (5% egg yolk and 3% glycerol) added to the Tris‐based extender negatively affected the preservation of the normal sperm morphology after thawing (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the use of Tris‐based extender added to 10% or 20% egg yolk plus 3% glycerol is recommended for effective sperm cryopreservation in collared peccaries.     

Vaccine efficacy for reducing turbinate atrophy and improving growth rate in piggeries with endemic atrophic rhinitis

Two vaccines, based on formalin-killed whole cells of toxigenic Pasteurella multocida type D and Bordetella bronchiseptica combined with a partially toxoided cell extract of P multocida, were prepared with Freund's incomplete adjuvant (vaccine 1) or by alum precipitation (vaccine 2). Each was tested for safety and efficacy in reducing the severity of nasal turbinate atrophy and improving the growth rate of pigs in three Western Australian commercial piggeries with endemic atrophic rhinitis. In safety experiments with vaccine 1, no adverse clinical effects were observed in vaccinated sows or their progeny. Piglets receiving vaccine 2 showed no injection site abnormalities, pyrexia or turbinate atrophy. In field trials, vaccine 1 significantly reduced the prevalence of moderate to severe nasal turbinate atrophy (Done score 3 to 5) when used in two piggeries (A and B). Progeny from vaccinated sows in piggery B also grew significantly faster than controls. When vaccine 2 was used in piggery A at a later date and in another piggery (C), growth rate was not improved in either piggery and the prevalence of moderate to severe turbinate atrophy was reduced only in piggery C.     

Influence of Temperature during Glycerol Addition and Post-thaw Dilution on the Quality of Canine Frozen Semen

Contents The aim of the present study was to compare the influence of room temperature (27 degrees C) and 4 degrees C during glycerol addition on canine semen cryopreservation and verify the effect of different post-thawing dilutions on canine semen. Ten ejaculates from five stud dogs were collected by digital manipulation. Semen samples were evaluated and further divided into two aliquots. The first aliquot was extended in Tris-egg yolk-glycerol at 27 degrees C and the second one received glycerol at 4 degrees C. Samples were frozen and stored in liquid nitrogen. After 1 week, samples were thawed and submitted to evaluations of progressive sperm motility, morphology, acrosomal integrity, hypo-osmotic swelling (HOST) and thermoresistance tests. For thermoresistance test, aliquots were divided in two portions: one portion was kept undiluted (1 : 0) and the other one was diluted in a 1 : 4 ratio (one part semen to four parts extender). No differences were observed between temperatures for glycerol addition regarding seminal parameters evaluated. Furthermore, post-thawing dilutions demonstrated similar effect on canine semen longevity. Correlations among post-thaw sperm motility and HOST and results from thermoresistance test were observed for both temperatures for glycerol addition. In conclusion, glycerol could be added to canine semen at room temperature (27 degrees C) or at 4 degrees C. Moreover, there is no need to extend canine semen after thawing for the thermoresistance test, but if we need to increase the inseminating volume for artificial inseminations, the addition of extender will not damage the semen.     

The effect of antibody to caseous lymphadenitis in ewes on the efficacy of vaccination in lambs

The effect of maternal antibody to the toxin of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, produced by caseous lymphadenitis (CLA) in ewes or by vaccinating ewes before lambing, on the efficacy of vaccination against CLA in their lambs was examined. Lambs were allocated to treatments according to either the vaccination history of their dam or level of CLA toxin antibody of their dam. They were vaccinated twice using 2 different inoculation regimes and then artificially infected with CLA organisms. The number of lambs with CLA lesions was assessed at slaughter. In one experiment high levels of CLA toxin antibody activity in ewes were associated with decreased efficacy of CLA vaccination in their lambs, when lambs were vaccinated at 2 and 8 weeks or 8 and 14 weeks of age. In a second experiment the efficacy of lamb vaccination at 8 and 12 weeks, but not at 14 and 18 weeks of age, was decreased. In sheep flocks with a high prevalence of CLA, vaccinating lambs against CLA at less than 10 weeks of age may not produce optimum protection against CLA in lambs. There was no difference in infection rate between lambs from vaccinated and unvaccinated ewes. However, vaccination of lambs at 2 and 8 wks was less effective that vaccination at 8 and 14 weeks, probably due to reduced immunocompetence in young lambs. In sheep flocks where significant numbers of lambs receive their primary vaccination at less than 3 weeks of age vaccination programmes to control CLA in lambs may be less effective.     

EVALUATION OF THE LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT IN PSITTACINES USING RADIOLOGY AND COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY

In the last 2¹/₂ years, 288 grey parrot and amazon species with symptoms of respiratory disease clinically were presented to the clinic for avian medicine at the Justus-Liebig-University in Giessen. Ventro-dorsal and latero-lateral radiographs were taken from all birds; radiologic signs of lower respiratory tract disease were noted. Radiographs were normal in 55 of the birds. The results of the radiographic examination for the remaining 233 birds were compared with the necropsy results of terminally ill parrots, with the results of laboratory examinations/endoscopy/and/or with an examination by computed tomography. Thoracic radiographs were evaluated for occurring radiological abnormalities pertaining to the respiratory tract. The frequency of these lesions and their association with a disease process and/or specific etiology was noted.     

The development of multiple cutaneous inverted papilloma following ovariohysterectomy in a dog

Abstract

CASE HISTORY: Ovariohysterectomy was performed on an adult Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. The skin that had been clipped for surgery was noticed to be erythematous 8 days later.

CLINICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS: Poorly defined patches containing multiple papules were visible bilaterally within the clipped skin. These became larger over the following 2 weeks, and samples were collected for histology. Seven days later, the lesions were multiple raised masses, up to 5 cm in diameter. Histology revealed numerous cup-shaped epidermal proliferations extending into the dermis. The presence of keratinocytes with increased quantities of blue-grey cytoplasm, and koilocytosis suggested papillomavirul infection; Canis familiaris papillomavirus (CfPV-2) DNA was amplified from two separate samples. Complete regression was observed 8 weeks after the lesions had been initially observed.

DIAGNOSIS: Multiple inverted papilloma confined to skin that had been clipped for surgery.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This is the first time that the development of canine cutaneous papillomas has been associated with surgery. The nature of the association between surgery and development of the papillomas is uncertain. However, it is possible that damage to superficial skin could promote the formation of papillomas. This is the first identification of CfPV-2 in New Zealand.     

Interaction between nutrition and gastrointestinal parasitism in sheep

Effects of gastrointestinal nematode infection on metabolism and nutrient utilisation in sheep are reviewed. Infection induces protein deficiency by increasing the demand for amino acids in the alimentary tract while reducing supply through depression of appetite. Mechanisms through which improved protein nutrition could improve the performance of the host are then discussed. Opportunities for capitalising on such effects are limited by our rudimentary understanding of the cell-mediated immune response in gastrointestinal epithelial tissue. Both resistance of the animal to larval establishment and performance in the face of larval challenge can be enhanced by improved protein nutrition. However, enhanced immune responses may not necessarily be synonymous with improved productivity except at luxurious levels of protein intake, because of apparently competing demands for protein. Such levels of protein nutrition are difficult to achieve in pasture-based systems, because of the protein limiting role of the rumen. Work with protein-protecting tannins to overcome this limitation is discussed. The much more limited evidence for effect of mineral nutrition, particularly copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), cobalt (Co) and phosphorus (P), on outcome of larval challenge is also reviewed.